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A Conscious Christmas on Chiltern Street!

Christmas is a time of reflection and sometimes action. Scrooge just managed to save himself at the eleventh hour, making amends for his lack of concern and general stinginess, but can we? Planet earth has been plundered for generations, vast areas recklessly destroyed by greed, is it too late to save not just ourselves but the lives of others? These questions should be on everyones minds this season, hiding under the bedcovers is no longer an option. We are all witness now to the ghosts of habitats past.

The Portman Estate are taking action by hosting a ‘Conscious Christmas’ event on the 29th November on Chiltern Street. This will celebrate sustainability and careful use of resources, especially as the conversation around waste amplifies during the time when we shop for Christmas gifts. Throughout the event, many shops along the street will be hosting interactive events to celebrate the concepts of sustainable manufacturing, use and reuse.

During the evening of 29th November, Dashing will be hosting craft workshops in store giving live weaving demonstrations on a hand loom, showing visitors how important it is to use sustainable wools, as well as presenting our high quality tweeds and clothes that last for years and years.

Dashing will also be having a pop up stand on Chiltern Street, selling smaller products from our range such as hats, ties and jumpers; Christmas gifts which will be cherished for generations.

Sustainability is at the core of Dashing, the company exclusively works with wool woven in the UK, and a large part of the production is with British wool, resulting in a very low carbon footprint in relation to transport and production costs.

Dashing is passionate about supporting the British textile industry which traditionally is one of the most sustainable of all British industries. Wool comes from the indigenous sheep population which feeds on renewable grass, the dyes used at Dashing are all regulated to meet environmental standards.

At Dashing, environmental issues are highly important for the brand. The future plans of Dashing involve sourcing more sustainable British wools, and as the climate ameliorates, the fineness of indigenous yarns increases making them more comparable to imported Merino wools. The brand will continue to implement sustainable policies in production so that you can rest assured not to be haunted by guilt or even ghosts of unsustainable Christmas’ past.

Do stop by on the 29th November on Chiltern Street for some festive shopping and drinks celebrating a ‘Conscious Christmas’ before a peaceful holiday and hopefully not an unconscious new year.

All the very best,

The Dashing Team

Dashing Man: Graeme Thomas King

Dashing discusses the theatre, style inspirations and future endeavours with British actor and model, Graeme Thomas King giving you a better insight into the life of one of our Dashing men.

Can you give us a little background on your life?

I was born and raised in Portsmouth and still call it home. After finishing my schooling, I travelled around a bit and spent some time in Australia before deciding it was probably a good idea to go to university if I ever wanted to get a job. I attended the university of Liverpool, a wonderful city full of wonderful people. I have many fond memories of my time there. I guess I caught the academic bug because upon graduating I decided to take on a masters at Kings College London, which brought me to the capital. “You can never be overdressed or overeducated”. I take Oscar Wilde very seriously. After Kings I spent a short time working in finance before making the switch to acting. I travelled to New York City to study at the William Esper Studio where I completed my formal acting training.

When did you decide acting was for you? What was your first break/appearance?

Acting was something I always wanted to do but I never knew how to do it. Acting encompasses everything I’ve always wanted out of a career and life ultimately. The engagement with people, creating something together and working towards something that is bigger than me as an individual that will hopefully have a positive impact on others. That’s why I wanted to act. Film, TV and theatre have always been so inspiring to me and I’m hopeful I can give some of that inspiration back now. The arts in general are so important to society as a cathartic experience that we can all experience together. They help us get through the bad times and help us celebrate the good times. I do owe my entrance into acting to a chance encounter on a London bus where I was asked to be in a short film. That did spur me to consider taking acting seriously as a potential option. I haven’t looked back since.

What are your other hobbies and interests?

I am an avid sports fan, a life long Portsmouth Football Club supporter and a huge cricket fan. This is still my sport of choice. I do love to learn, which I suppose is why I studied so much. It is something I could see myself going back to later in life. If I weren’t acting, I would most likely be doing a PHD in something. I love reading, which I suppose combines with the education. I’m always reading at least three different books on the go. Another passion of mine has always been fashion. Especially in acting, it’s amazing how a person can change once you put a costume or specific outfit on them. I do purchase too many clothes though.

Describe your personal style, do you have style icons?

I certainly do have style icons and they are where I get my inspiration from. I’ve always believed in simplicity when it comes to style and it’s something I try to always adhere to. James Dean has always been a huge inspiration to me, his clothes never seemed to fit him properly but he wore them so well. Paul Newman is another man who had pure class and just looked good in everything. Again, his outfits were made up of very simple, classic pieces. He and James Dean never seemed to try too hard. Eddie Redmayne always looks fantastic and I love his clothing choices, he mixes casual and smart so well. I have never seen David Gandy dress badly and he probably ha the wardrobe I envy most of all. Overall, my personal style maxim’s are just to keep it simple, making sure my clothes fit me relatively well (using tailoring if necessary), and stocking up on classic, quality items.

What is it you like about Dashing?

First of all, I love tweed. It’s quintessentially British and Dashing always reminds me of that. I absolutely love the mix of classic items like many of the overcoats we shot with, and more unique items that has Guy’s personality all over them. Dashing for me is so unique in the sense it has taken something that was considered very stated such as tweed and tweed patterns, and has thrust it into the 21^st century. The clothes are so fun and out there, but it’s still grounded with such superb quality and craftsmanship that makes the pieces wonderful to wear. It’s great to see a brand that enables people to show off a side of their personalities that they might not be able otherwise to express. I personally cannot think of tweed now without associating it with Dashing Tweeds.

What is your dream acting job?

Such a tough question. Sir Mark Rylance has always been a huge inspiration to me and in many ways I credit him with helping me to get into acting. It would be an absolute honour and privilege to share a stage or screen with him. I would learn so much and have an absolute ball at the same time. I personally love period dramas, and there are so many I would love to be a part of one day. I know Journey’s End has just been revived in film format and to do that in the West End would be a dream. Shakespeare is the ultimate challenge for me and to do it on a professional stage is a goal. I think it’s the barometer actors set their own standards against. A specific role I would love to play one day would be James Dean, I could see myself doing that. Ultimately, I just want to make meaningful work that moves people and makes them think differently. I love telling people’s stories, it’s an honour.

Do you travel often?

I love travelling and have been fortunate to see a lot of the world. I recently spent time in New York but still believe London is the best city in the world.

Any final comments?

Check out the Dashing Tweed shop and meet the team, especially George the dog! I guarantee you’ll find something that will make you fall in love and something that will inspire you.